257. Helmets during biking and snow sports reduce risk of brain injury for kids
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention aims to encourage more children to wear helmets while riding a bike and doing many recreational activities. Bicycle riding is one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries among children, causing about 26,000 emergency room visits each year. Skateboarding, skiing and snowboarding are also linked to brain injuries in children and adolescents. Helmets would dramatically decrease the risk of these injuries, say the researchers. Yet only about 4 in 10 children wear a helmet when riding a bike, and over 30 percent say they never wear one. Parents can encourage their kids to wear a helmet by allowing them to choose a helmet they like and decorate it how they want. They can add reflective stickers and lights to the helmet to make it easier for others to see the children on the road.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
